St. Paul daily globe., 1887-10-30
How They Were Recovered
and the Ransom Paid
to the Thieves.
An Ohio Editor Shot Dead
During a Quarrel in a
Court Room.
SchnaubeIt's Mother Prepared
to Tell About the Hay
market Massacre.


ent George W. Walling's book, 'The
Recollections of New York Chief Of
Police" which is soon to be published.
The eX-Superintendent gives the only
true story of the stealing of the body,
and also alleges that the body was sub
sequently returned. The remains were
buried in st. Marks church yard, cor
ner of Second avenue and Tenth street,
in an underground vault, the entrance
to which was covered by a fagstone,
which, in turn, was S0dded over
level with the surrounding sur
face, so that there was no out
ward evidence of its location.
Judge Hilton had discovered evidences
that the vault had been tampered with,
and set watch, but, a. nothing further
transpired, the watch was Withdrawn,
and three nights later-that is, on the
night of Nov. 6, or the morning of Nov.
z, 1878, the vault was broken open and
the re mains stolen. Judge Hilton was
firmly of the opinion that the sexton
or his assistant had guilty
knowledge of the transaction;
but this was never shown. The judge
at once offered a reward of S25, COO for
the return of the body and the convic-
ton of the grave robbers. The first
clue came from Gen. Patrick FL. Jones.
eX-poStmaster of New York, who noti-
fed Walling that an eX-SOldier who had
served under him claimed to know some
thing about the Stewart body, and with
proper encouragement would give in
formation leading to its recovery. The
superintendent submitted the offer to
Judge Hilton, who declared he would
NEVER PAY ONE CENT
for Mr.. Stewards bones unless they
came accompanied by the thieves in
irons. Gen. Jones was persistent and
wanted to work up the case and arrange
for buying the body. He showed letters
from the thieves and few days later
gave to the police package expressed
to him from Boston containing coffin
plate. which was identified by
the engraver who had done the
work. To complete the Identification
the robbers sent piece of paper that
fitted exactly the hole in the velvet
cover of the coffin cut out by the thieves
when the body was removed. This is
now in the hands of Sexton Hamill, and
the coffin plate is at police headquarters.
Judge Hilton remained unalterable. and
the case was dropped by the authorities,
but continued by private detec-
tives. Mrs Stewart differed with
her counsel and strongly wished to re-
cover the body. Learning this fact the
robbers opened correspondence with her
directly. No trace of the body or thieves
was found until January, 1882, when
Gen. Jones called at headquarters. lie
brought with him parcel which cor
tanned the silver knobs and several Cf
the handles belonging to the co..
fin in which the body had been
buried. He also showed so,
letters which he had received. They
purported to have been written in Can
ada, and were signed ''Henry G..
Romaine." With the first letter a s100
bill was lncloSed as retainer for him
to act as attorney for the return of the
body upon the payment of S250,0OO. The
letter then went on to tell the hour at
which the body was taken: how it was
inclosed in a zinc-lined trunk
and taken to Canada and buried. It
said the features were perfectly pre-
served, except the eyes. This was the
letter which inclosed the bit of paper
corresponding with the size of the hole
in the velvet. and promised if further
proof was required, to send the coffin
plate upon the insertion in the New York
Herald of these words:
Canada-Send P-Counsel
This was done, and under date of
Boston
A LETTER CAME,
saying the plate was sent from there to
avoid the scrutiny of customs officials on
the Canadian border. The plate was re-
ceived and identified. Gen. Jones was
instructed in case the relatives were
ready to negotiate for the remains to
insert this personal in the Herald:
Ganada-Will do business. Counsel.
This was done at Judge Hilton'S re-
quest. The reply which came from
Boston on the 18th of February set
forth the terms upon which the body
would be restored. They were as fol-
lows:
FirstaThe amount to be paid shall be
100000.
Second-The body will be delivered to
yourself and Judge Hilton within twenty
five miles OF the city of Montreal, and no
other person shall be present
Thlrd-The money to be placed in your
hands or under your control until Judge
Hilton is fully satisfied. when you will de-
liver 1t to my representative.
Fourth-Both parties to maintain forever
an unbroken silence in regard TO the trans
action.
Judge Hilton refused fo agree to the
terms proposed, and further declined to
negotiate through the medium of ''Per-
sonals." Romaine was then written to,
Gen. Jones informing him of the condi-
-tion of things. His reply was soon re-
eeived, ordering Mr.. Jones to break off
all communication with Judge Hilton
and open negotiations with Mrs. Ste W.
art. No notice was taken of
this request, but in March
Judge Hilton made an offer of $4,000
for the body. Gen. Jones made the fact
known to Romaine who respectfully but
firmly declined. This closed the CORE
Spondence. The robbers becoming dis
cOuraged, now offered to sell the body
for 100000. Mrs. Stewart was willing
and ordered her representative to pay
the amount. They delayed matte S
until the figure was reduced
to $4,000, which was accepted.
The conditions of delivery were severe.
The messenger with the money was to
leave New York city at 10 p. m, alone
in one-horse wagon, and drive into
West Chester county along lonely
road, which was indicated on map
sent by the thieves. Some time before
morning, if the man was acting in good
panied or followed by by t detee-
tiveS, he would be met and given
further directions. A young relative of
Mrs. Stewart undertook the hazardous
errand. Two or three times during the
night he was certain that
HE WAS CLOSELY WATCHED,
but it was o'clock when a masked
horseman rode up, gave the signal
agreed on and turned the buggy up
lonely lane. The strange visitor
here left him, directing him to
drive on. At the end of another
mile he became aware that an
other wagon was blocking the way. He
paused. A masked man appeared and
brought forward bag to his buggy.
saying: s'Here it's, where's tie
money!"
.'Where's the proof of identity.n
asked the messenger, as the bag CON
tanning the mortal remains of A. T.
Stewart was lifted into the buggy.